Stuffing-box.



PATENTED MAR. l0, 1903.

B. P. V]IET.|DE1\I. STUFFING BOX.

, /m/en/or @rares arent* BARTON P. FIELDEN, OF GERMANTOIVN, PENNSYLVANIA.

STU FFlNG-BOX.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 722,219, dated March lO, 1903.

Application led September 5, 1902. Serial No. 122.161. (No model.)

To 1r/ZZ whom, it uta/y concern:

Beit known that I, BARTON?. FIELDEN, of Germantown, county of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improvement in Stuffing-Boxes, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has reference to stuffingboxes; and it consists of certain improvements, which are fully set forth in the following specication and shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

lThe object of my invention is to provide a form of stuiiing-box for a steam-engine or other purpose in which the joint between the piston-rod or other part and the stufting-box shall, in effect, be subdivided and eachV subdivision subjected to a different specific pressure, whereby in the tendency of thc water of condensation and steam to escape they will be caused to flow into a chamber or compartment containing pressure above that of the atmosphere, but below that of the initial pressure, for the purpose of retarding the escape, this being the result of having a less difference of pressure than where the steam and Water of condensation escape directly into the atmosphere through the stuffing-box. By this means the reduction of the pressure of the steam in passing through the stuffing-box takes place to different and gradually-lower conditions to correspond to exhaust-pressures from the stufng-box at different places in its length, as more fully set out hereinafter.l

The advantages of my improved stuffingbox may be stated as follows: The packing will be in partial equilibrium between the points where the connections or exhausts are made with sources of different lower pressures, and owing to this partial equilibrium the friction on the piston-rod will be materially reduced and a consequent saving in wear and tear of the packing insured. Owing to the reduced friction the fuel consumption to drive the engine will be reduced, which is an item not to be lost sight of in engines of large horse powers. Less attention is required to keep the stuffing-box in proper working condition. A higher efficiency of the engine will result, owing to the fact that the water of condensation carried through the packing, being of a higher temperature and under a greater pressure than that of the steam exhausting from the stuffing-box, will pass into a vaporized state and quickly escape, making it possible for the ready elimination of further quantities of the Water of condensation. The water thus escaping from the stuffing-box may be collected again directly or through traps, and thereby avoid what would otherwise be a great loss of fresh water.

The above statements specify the more salient advantages of my invention.

In carrying out my invention I provide the stuffing-box with two or more sections of packing, between which I arrange one or more distance-pieces, preferably having exhaustpassages for the escape of steam and water, and employ in connection therewith one or more exhaust-passages opening through the stuffing-box adjacent to the distance-pieces. The exhaust-passages may communicate with any sources of pressure lower than that in the cylinder, but desirably so that the diiierence in pressure upon each side of the distance-pieces or between the cylinder and the adjacent distance exhaust-passages or between two adjacent eXhaust-passages shall be less than the difference of pressure between the cylinder and atmosphere.

My invention also comprehends details of construction which, with the above features, will be better understood by reference to the drawings now to be referred to.

In the drawings, Figure lis a sectional elevation of a stuffing-box of asteam-engiue embodying my invention and taken on line :c of Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is across-section of the same on line y y, and Fig. 3 is a perspective View of a modified Aform of one section of the distance-pieces.

A is the piston-rod, B is the stu'liing-box, and C is the interior of the cylinder. The stufliug-box B is bored out to form the usual chamber D to receive the packing E E and distance-pieces G G. The packing may be of the well-known metallic form, such as shown, or of any other form, such as rubber, asbestos, cotton, or combinations of these. The distance-pieces G G are annular metal parts iitting the piston-rod and also the wall of the chamber D and would usually be made in sections for easy removal, as indicated in Fig. 2,wherein three such sections are shown. These distance-pieces are preferably grooved upon their inner' and outer edges, as at K K, and said grooves may communicate by one or more radial `apertures L, and such radial IOC apertures may, if desired, be formed by grooves partly in one section and partly in the other at the junction of the sections or in any other manner to provide communication between the grooves K K. The wall of the stuffing-box is provided with exhaustpassages H and M, opening in alinementwth the distance-pieces G and G, respectively, and may be tted with suitable nipples J and N for connecting with sources of different and llower pressures than in the cylinder C. The annular grooves K and radial passages L enable the water of condensation to freely pass to the exhausting-nipples. In the case of the exhaust-passage H the end that opens into the stuffing-box chamber may be elongated, as at I, to enable the distance-piece G to have reasonable adjustment without interfering with its discharge through the exhaust-passage H. The reason for the desirability for such capaci-ty of adjustment is that thev packing E will vary under wear and in renewal of packing a somewhat different position of the distance-piece may be taken. The 'packing shown is of the metallic type, having inclined upper and lower faces and adapted to spread under pressure longitudinally through the stuffing-box chamber. It is evident that, if desired, the surfaces of the distance-pieces may be inclined to correspond to these packing-sections, as indicated, for example, in Fig. 3.

At the cylinder end the stuffing-box is tted with the ordinary brass bushing F, upon which the packing rests, and at the other end of the box I provide an adjustable boxgland O, extending slightly into the stuffingbox, so as to rest upon the distance-piece G. This box-gland is held in position by bolts P and is provided with the chamber T, in which packing Q is placed and clamped in position by a gland R. The gland R is adjusted by bolts S, carried by the box-gland O.

It is evident that, if desired, the annular part O' of the box-gland O may be omitted, so that the packing Q may extend -down to the distance-piece G', as such portion O performs no essential function, being merely adapted to give a greater surface of the gland O to press upon the distance-piece G. It is also evident that my invention would be equally carried out if the additional packing Q and gland R were omitted, and such would also be the case if the distance-piece G' and exhaust-passage M were dispensed with; but in practice I prefer to make the box with the several parts as shown. Where the pressure in the cylinder is very high, it is desirable to employ more distance-pieces than where it is low. Hence I do not confine myself to any number of distance-pieces or exhausting or relief passages. It is also evident that while the distance-pieces of the general character shown are very desirable they might be dispensed with and reliance be had upon the joints in the packing to permit the escape of water of condensation into the exhaust or reformed to permit easy flow of the water of condensation, and hence. under such conditions it would be propel' to consider those portions of the packing which perform that function as the mechanical equivalent of the distance-pieces. There is no objection in rely` ing upon the distance-pieces to also perform the function of packing-rings.

My invention is especially useful on multiple-expansion engines. For example, on a triple-expansion engine, starting with one hundred and sixty to two hundred pounds steam-pressure in the high-pressure cylinder and expandingdowntoavacuum,Iwouldhave two receivers interposed between the cylinders-viz., the middle-pressure receiver, between the high and middle pressure cylinders, which may connect with the exhaustpassage H of the stu ftlng-box of the high-pressure cylinder, and the low-pressure receiver, between the middle-pressure and low-pressure cylinders, whichmay connect with the exhaust-passage M of the stuffing-box. In this way the water of condensation and escaping steam from the stuffing-box is exhausted to the receiversof lower pressure and is ultimately delivered through the lowpressure cylinder to the condenser. This avoids all loss of fresh water from the stuffingbox. Of course it does not follow that this water of condensation passes through the other cylinders in that form, because the high temperature of the water will induce it to burst into the steam when its pressure is suddenly reduced in passing into passages H M. Also it is evident that any of the usual steam-traps may be used to separate the actual water from the steam before it reaches the receivers.

Now while I have spoken of the adaptability of my invention to a multiple-expansion engine it is to be understood that it may be equally Well employed on an ordinary highpressure engine, the only requisite being to provide different sources of pressure for connection with the exhaust or relief passages H M, and this may be done, as will be understood by every skilled engineer, by connecting the exhaust passages or pipes leading therefrom with a steam-pipe having pressurereducing valves between the points of connection of the exhaust or relief pipesand between them and the source where it contains the initial pressure of the steam in the cylinder. The particular manner of securing sources of steam of lower pressures is immaterial to my invention, a'nd. I only refer to them as examples of how it may be done.

In the operation of my invention it is evident that the pressure on the packingE E or Q is not as great as in the ordinary stungbox construction. Hence it is obvious that there is less friction and wear and tear, as hereinbefore pointed out.

While the invention is especially designed IOO IIO

for stuffing-boxes for steam engines, it is equally adapted as astufflng-box forany other purpose. Hence I do not confine myself to any special use of my invention.

W'hile I prefer the construction shown, the details thereof may be varied without departing from the spirit of myinvention.

Having now described myinvention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In astuffing-box the combination of the box-chamber, steam-packinginsaid box, and one or more exhaust or relief passages opening from said box intermediate of its ends and containing pressures less than the steam adjacent to one end of the box and greater than t-hepressure at the other end of the box.

2. In astuffing-box the combination of the box-chamber, two or more sections of steampacking in said box, one or more exhaust or relief passages opening from said box intermediate of its ends and containing pressures less than the steam adjacent to one end of the box-and greater than the pressure at the other end of the box, and spacing-pieces interposed between the sections of packing and in aliuement with the exhaust or relief passages.

3. In a stuffing-box the combination of the box-chamber, two or more sections of steampacking in said box, one ormore exhaust or relief passages opening from said box intermediate of its ends and containing pressures less than the steam adjacent to one end of the box and greater than the pressure at the other end of the box, and spacing-pieces having circumferential grooves and radial apertures and between the sections of packing in alinement with the exhaust or relief passages.

4. In a stufjing-box the combination of the box-chamber, steam-packing in said box, one or more exhaust or relief passages opening` from said box intermediate of its ends and containing pressures less than the steam adjacent to one end of the box and greater than the pressure at the other end of the box, a gland tting the open end of the box to hold the packing in place and having its outer end recessed, packing within said recessed end, and a second gland fitting the recessed end of the iirst-mentioned gland.

5. In a stufling-box the combination of the box-chamber, two or more sections of steampacking in said box, one or more exhaust or relief passages opening from said box intermediate of its ends and containing pressures less than the steam adjacent to one end of the box and greater than the pressure at the other end of the box, spacing-pieces interposed between the sections of packing and in alinement with the exhaustor relief passages, a gland fitting the open end of the box to hold the packing and spacing pieces in place and having its outer end recessed, packing Within said recessed end, and a second gland fitting the recessed end of the first-mentioned gland.

G. In astuffmg-box the combination of the box-chamber, steam-packing in said box, one or more exhaust or relief passages opening from said box intermediate of its ends and containing Ipressures less than the steam adjacent to one end of the box and greater than the pressure at the other end of the box, a

gland fitting the open end of the box to hold the packing in place and having its outer end recessed, packing within said recessed end, a second gland fitting the recessed end of the first-mentioned gland, and independent means for adjusting each of the glands.

7. A stuflingbox,provided with an exhaust or relief passage opening from the packingchamberv of the box intermediate of its ends and containing a pressure intermediate of the steam-pressure exerted at one end ofthe box and atmospheric pressure.

8. Astufingbox,provided with an exhaust or relief passage opening from the packingchamber of the box intermediate of its ends and containing a pressure intermediate of the steam-pressure exerted at one end of the box and atmospheric pressure in combination with means provided with steam and Water passages arranged Within the packing-chamber, and communicating with the exhaust or relief passage.

9. A stufng-box, provided with a'n exhaust or relief passage opening from the packing` chamber of the box intermediate of its ends and containing a pressureintermediate of the steam-pressure exerted at one end of the box and atmospheric pressure, a spacing-piece having steam and water passages communicating with the exhaust or relief passage and arranged at the outer end of the packingchamber, and an adjustable gland fitting upon the spacing-piece to hold it down upon the packing.

l0. A stuffing-box, provided with an exhaust or relief passage opening from the packing-chamber of the box intermediate of its ends and containing a pressure intermediate of the steam-pressure exerted at one end of the box and atmospheric pressure, in combination With a spacing piece having steam and water passages arranged in alinement with the exhaust or relief passage and formed in sections so as to be removable.

11. A stuffing-box, provided with an exhaust or relief passage opening from the packing-chamber of the box intermediate of its ends and containing a pressure intermediate of the steam-pressure exerted at one end of the box and atmospheric pressure, in combination with a spacing-piece G having circumferential grooves K and radial passages L arranged in alinement with the exhaust or relief passages.

In testimony of which invention I hereunto set my hand.

BARTON P. FIELDEN.

Witnesses:

R. M. KELLY, E. GALL.

IOS

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